Singapore Shopping Tips

Shopping in Singapore is a unique experience and your shopping adventure will be much more satisfying and successful if you keep a few things in mind. If you need help or advice, visit the Singapore Visitors Center or your hotel concierge.

To provide local and tourists with the world class shopping experience, shopping malls in Singapore are modern, state of the art & carry all the renowned international & local brands. We have covered in detail top 10 shopping malls in Singapore.

Singapore Shopping Tips

To make most of your shopping trip to Singapore, we have outlined some of the best shopping tips in Singapore below. Feel free to drop us any tip or idea in the comment below.

Shopping Districts information is quite handy as it will give you an idea of the popular shopping places in Singapore. The most popular shopping district in Singapore is Orchard Road, which is in the city center and home of dozens of shopping malls. You will almost find everything on your shopping list in Singapore. Chinatown, Little India, Bugis are some other shopping districts to explore. We have covered famous shopping streets & roads in Singapore for more information.

Clothing sizes are unreliable in Singapore due to the wide range of import sources. If you plan to buy clothing, be sure to try it on before leaving the store. Luckily, there are many highly skilled tailors in Singapore. If using the services of a tailor, be sure there is a clear understanding about the agreement. Leave a deposit with the garment, the remaining payment will only be made after the fit is accurate and complete.

Shopping Hours are pretty standard in Singapore. Most malls are open from 10 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with somewhat shorter hours on Sunday. The smaller shops generally open around 9 a.m. and close around 5 p.m. and are closed on Sundays, as is Arab Street. Mustafa Centre in Little India, and Cold Storage in Holland Village are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have covered places for late night shopping in Singapore here.

Prices are negotiable in Singapore. Very few shops offer fixed prices and they can vary widely from place to place, while the malls & known brands tend to use fixed pricing. You can learn about sales and sale prices from local newspapers. You may see price tags in the small shops but most retailers consider bargaining a fundamental part of the selling process. Bargaining is a skill that many Westerners do not have. Bargaining requires a happy demeanor and knowledge about what you are buying. Forewarned is forearmed. Many tourists will try to gain an advantage by claiming to reside in Holland Village, a popular Western expatriate district within Singapore, to try and gain favor as a possible return customer. If all else fails, tell the retailer you only have so much money or head for the door and watch the price fall.

Coupons & Deals are quite popular among shoppers as you get to save by availing discounted deals. In Singapore, these deals are available for travel related products, beauty, lifestyle, fashion, well-being, hotels & much more. Some of the recommended names include Groupon Singapore , Street Deal & Deal.com.sg. If you are looking for deals on fashion related products, you can checkout Luxola Singapore as well.

Receipts and invoices should always be checked for accuracy and completeness. If the retailer doesn’t offer a receipt, ask for one. Most of the larger stores will allow you to exchange or return items within 3 days. Since the smaller shops generally do not allow returns, it is up to you to make sure that the box contains everything it says it does and that everything works the way it’s supposed to. If you’re on a shop trip to Singapore then you should keep the invoices for tax return. Read more about Singapore Tax Free Shopping Guide & save on shopping in Singapore.

Warranties are not standardized. It is up to you to ask if your warranty will be recognized in your country. It is imperative that your invoice and warranty card bear the retailer’s signature and stamp, as well as any serial numbers. Worldwide local warranties are only good in the nation of purchase. Keep in mind that there are no international warranties for products such as cell phones.

Money can be exchanged at any location displaying the “Licensed Money Changer” logo. ATMs are conveniently located pretty much everywhere you go in Singapore. Travelers cheques can be purchased at all banks, which are generally open 9:30 to 3:30, Monday through Friday and 9:30 to 11:30 on Saturdays. If you’re looking for a better exchange rate while changing currency then read about best money changers in Singapore.

Credit cards and charge cards are accepted at all the major malls and large department stores. If you find a store that demands a surcharge for the use of a credit card, notify the card company, as this is illegal.

Good & Services Tax (GST) is a 7% tax imposed on all purchases. As a foreign visitor, you can be reimbursed for that tax, as long as you spend at least S$300 and show your receipts, purchases and the required documents at the Singapore Airport. There are two companies, Global Refund Singapore and Premier Tax Free, who will, for a fee, assist you in obtaining your refund.

Delivery Services are offered by the larger department stores. Be sure delivery instructions are clear and pay the extra charge to obtain All Risk protection for your purchases. Export permits are required for all weapons shipped out of Singapore.

Shopping is one of the reasons, Singapore is known for. The Singapore Tourism Bureau takes extra efforts to ensure a positive shopping experience for foreign visitors. One of those efforts is the Singapore Service Star program which rates establishments that deliver exceptional service.

The streets of Singapore are surprisingly safe, even late at night, so long as you use common sense. Be prepared to be delighted, distracted and thoroughly amazed with your Singapore shopping experience.